Clutch-operating device



A ril 17, 192 s 1,666,225

F. K. WARD CLUTCH OPERATING DEVICE Filed May 5. 1927 gmmto'z fi'ederz'ckffiward T Y ATBNT OFFICE;

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' My invention consists of an action-delaying device designed for application to such mechanisms as the clutch mechanisms of automobiles, to prevent too rapid anapplica- :tion of the clutch and the attendant evils caused thereby. o -Theobject of my invention is to providean automatically-acting device which will insure'the adual and easy. application of Q clutches,'su stitutingthe uniformi of an automatic mechanism-for the irre rity of human control.

My. invention consists, in principle, of a dash t, or an equivalent mechanism which may attached to the clutch operating mechanism, and which acts to interpose no appreciable resistance to a movement to release a clutch, but which will provide sufiicient resistance to the application of the clutch surfaces as to cause a re lar and uniform movement, whereby su den applications and the strains caused thereby may be t e accompanying shown a preferred construct of applying my invention. 1

Fi 1 sh j s-my device, as applied to the c utch level of an automobile; a Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the cylinder of my device;

Figures 3 and 4 are transverse sections through the dcglinder'taken substantially on the plane in cated by the line 3 3 of 'Fig ure 2, Figure 4; showing a by-pass channel -not showncin Figure 1 In the device as illustrated, atube 1 forms the body of a cylinder in which is a movable iston 6 and a piston rod 62 which extends ram both ends of the cylinder. One end I of the cylinder is closed by acup shaped head, comprising a tubular section 3 and' head proper 31. The tubular flange section 3 screws. over 'the-endof the cylinder 1, and a lock ring 30 may be employed'to hold it 4 when adjusted in position. Free access of external air to the chamber 70 next to this head is provided, such as through Within the head 31'a'nd outside 0 thisend of cylinder 1, is a valve'diskfl', which isslightly less in diameter than'jthed ameter. .oi the chainber 70, and" large enoug'hjm [diameter to seat upon the end of cylinder-f1. The closure head 31 and the valve disk 7 are both boredfor the assage of the piston rod, 5 the valve'disk 7 tting snugly enough to drawings 1 have ion and manner 1927, Serial Jlio. 187,925. I

'provide sufficient friction to move the valve disk between its two positions. At the opposite end of the cylinder, a sleeve 2 screws over the cylinder body 1, and has a cylinder or closure heads; screwing therein. A locking ring or nut 20 screwing upon head 4 may be employed. Heads has inlet air ports 40. The disk valve 5 ses' at V 7 41 upon theinner end edge of head 4,'and 1s hmitedin its unseating or inward moye ment by an outwardly extending sleeve 50, through which the piston rod passes, and by a cap 51 which has a flange adaptedito engage the onter face. of head. he piston 6 has by-pass holes, as 60, therein, which, by the restriction of their area, force a slow movement of the piston when moving in the direction in which the valve disks 5 and 7 seat." Whenthe piston moves in the opposite direction, said valve 75 disks are unseated and there is no drag on the piston. The number-of ports which are effective may be varied by plugging certain thereof, as by inserting screws, .as are shown'at 61. As a supplementary or substitute by-pass, a groove or grooves, as 64, ma be provided to extendv lengthwise of an in the inner wall of the cylinder The termination of-these at a point correspond-- 1 f 1 ing roughly with thepoint of gripping of 'the clutch surfaces WOIIId'PBI'mIt quick return to near the point of efiective engagement and a slow theway. The cylinder 1 and the piston rod 62 are. secured, one to a clutch-controllingmember,

as 'I have shown the c linder'as enclosed by a. tubular extension 1 and connected by a pivot to a clamp 72 secured vto the casing. of the steering shaft, and the piston rod as gyotally secured at 63 to the clutch lever 8.

e spring 80, provided for" applyingthcif -l clutch members, also of the piston 6. By the use of V actuates t the return such a device, i

vent

the clutch is not affected, and the applica f Jtion of the clutch may be slowed down by: 1015 device sothat the operator'may release the clutch lever withfany degree of sudde' nes without any "bad results.- What'I claim'as my invention is:

' 1. A dash return the remainder-of I so I the lever 8, and the other to a fixed point. 1

lop-- handling the clutchis not necessary -to pre.-- i

jerky action.."Theirelease actiong'of pot attachment for 5 applied power transmitters, comprising a pneumatic cylinder and piston, one anchored and the other connected with the spring-actuated parts, a piston rod extending in both directions from the piston and a controlling valve at each end of the cylinder movable between open and closed positions by "fric-.

' inderand piston with its rod, one anchored and the other connected with the clutch lever, the piston rod extending from both ends of the cylinder, a disk valve at each end of the cylinder, through which the piston rod extends, seats for'said valves facing in like directions, and air passages for each end of the cylinder outwardly of the valve seats.

3. A dash pot attachment-for clutch levers rod opening and freely open air ports, a disk valve at each end of the cylinder, one of said valves seating upon the cylinder end and the other upon the adjacent cylinder head, and both seating by movement in the same direction, means for anchoring the cylinder, and means for-securing the piston rod to the clutch actuating lever.

Signed at Seattle, King County, Washington, this 29th day of April, 1927.

FREDERICK K. WARD. 

